As if a dam had burst, Bijonne’s forgotten memories flooded back. Like puzzle pieces snapping into place, the larger picture formed in my mind.
The Inayari Bijonne met in the palace was Duke Daysha. He’d hypnotized her while she was under the influence of Kayak.
“Yes, if I die, he’ll regret treating me this way.”
To prevent Bijonne’s frequent suicide attempts in her madness, Sys had removed anything that could be a weapon from her quarters—even flower vases.
And in that barren room, Bijonne descended further into insanity.
Why didn’t he choose the easier path?
He could have sentenced her to death for killing a royal.
Fearing the barrier might break, it would have been simpler for him to eliminate the cause—me. Yet he only confined me to the Empress’s Palace, sparing me further punishment.
I’d always thought his actions stemmed from indifference, that I wasn’t worth his attention. But knowing about the barrier now, doubts crept in.
Why had he risked leaving me alive?
“I’ll protect you, no matter what.”
Father’s pale, resolute face flashed in my mind. The answer became clear. Even then, he’d been fighting to protect me.
I just hadn’t known. His love had never wavered.
What had he endured to protect me alone?
Tears welled at the depth of his love.
“I’ll make him regret it.”
While I was lost in emotion, Bijonne stood before the mirror, chair in hand, her green eyes glinting with madness.
Crash!
She hurled the chair at the mirror. The deafening shatter sent sharp fragments scattering across the floor, reflecting her distorted face.
She picked up a jagged shard, gripping it so tightly it cut her hand. Blood dripped, and a satisfied smile spread across her face in the broken glass.
“If I’m to die, it should be where he’ll see.”
Muttering about Erharak Hall, she scanned the room for an escape. But the Empress’s Palace was guarded so tightly not even an ant could slip through.
“How, how do I do it?”
Her desperation grew. She needed to die quickly, to see his regretful face, to ease the suffocating pain in her chest.
It was irrational, but her mind, eroded by Kayak and Daysha’s hypnosis, could no longer think clearly.
Crack.
As if entranced, she walked to the door and grasped the handle. The door, expected to be locked, slid open effortlessly. Her feet carried her toward Erharak Hall.
Despite Sys’s orders, no guards stopped her. It was as if someone had deliberately cleared the way.
She flung open Erharak Hall’s doors, which were also unlocked.
The hall was dark and silent, heavy curtains blocking the windows.
“This is the place.”
Her heels echoed in the empty space as she walked to the center.
Raising the mirror shard high, she smirked, blood seeping from her cracked lips.
She drove the shard into her body.
“Guh!”
The sharp pain was vivid. A guttural sound escaped her throat.
“Will… you… regret…?”
The agony fueled her satisfaction. She laughed, spitting blood.
I curse them.
I cursed those who attacked me like demons, my father who never showed me warmth, and him who turned away from me.
Blood pooled on the floor, her body growing cold, but Bijonne’s curses against the world didn’t stop.
Regret this. Regret me forever, my Emperor.
Her eyelids grew heavy. Her body, sprawled in blood, could no longer move.
“Why?”
A dark veil fell over her closing eyes.
“I told you I didn’t want to regret.”
A voice, neither male nor female, chided in my ear.
Drip, drip.
Blood droplets fell into the pool. I struggled to lift my heavy eyelids.
“You said you wanted to be happy. Why?!”
A scream-like sob forced my eyes open.
The Black Priest!
Why was he here?
I thought I’d recalled everything, but something remained hidden.
The Black Priest reached out, placing a hand on my head. His sobs traveled through his touch.
“You said you wanted to live, to be happy no matter what.”
Blood streamed from beneath his black hood.
Red eyes!
No, not red eyes. I’d thought so, but they were eyes weeping blood.
“Why aren’t you happy, my…”
His face flickered, almost visible. I was desperate to see it clearly, certain I could if he came closer.
“Bee!”
Someone called me.
The voice grew louder, while the Black Priest’s form blurred. I tried to reach for him, but my body was paralyzed, as if under a spell.
“Please, wake up, Bee!”
“Bijonne!”
“Open your eyes, Sister!”
“My lady!”
Sys, Father, Lant, and Evan’s voices hammered my ears. The sensation of my body being shaken pulled me back, and my eyes snapped open.
“Bijonne, my girl!”
“Bee!”
“Sister!”
Lant, tears streaking his face, hugged me tightly.
“Call the physician, now!”
Father’s panicked voice was a first.
“How do you feel? Are you hurt? Do you recognize me, Bee?”
Sys bombarded me with worried questions. My body felt weak, drained from however long I’d been out. I blinked slowly and tried to speak.
“Wh…”
What happened?
I had so many questions, but my parched throat produced only a hoarse croak, sounding awful even to me.
“You should drink some water first.”
Sys gently lifted my neck and waist.
“Here, Sister.”
As Sys helped me sit up, Lant held out a cup of water. I tried to raise my arm, but it wouldn’t move.
Sys, supporting me with one arm, took the cup and brought it to my lips, tilting it carefully. Lukewarm water moistened my dry lips and slid down my throat.
The sound of my swallowing filled the room.
“The physician is here!”
“Let him in!”
Father stepped aside, and the physician approached.
“My lady, do you know who I am?”
I nodded weakly, my voice still gone.
“You’re safe now,” the physician said, checking my pulse. “But you’ve been through a lot. Rest is critical.”
I glanced at Sys, his golden eyes filled with relief.
“Lant, El?” I managed to whisper.
“Safe,” Evan said, stepping closer. “We got them out of the palace.”
Relief washed over me. I looked at Father, his face etched with worry but unwavering love.
“Daysha?” I croaked.
“Dead,” Sys said, his voice hard. “His Inayari are retreating.”
I gripped Sys’s hand, the ring still on my finger, the needle retracted.
“We’re not done,” I said, my voice steadier.
“No,” he agreed, squeezing back. “But we’ll face it together.”
The barrier’s fate loomed, but with my family and allies by my side, I was ready for the fight ahead.
